Orioles bring up Romero, Johnson

Baltimore, MD – The Baltimore Orioles selected the contract of pitcher J.C. Romero from Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday.

The Orioles acquired Romero from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for minor league infielder Carlos Rojas on Monday.

The 36-year-old native of Puerto Rico did not record a decision in 11 appearances for St. Louis this season, pitching to a 10.13 earned run average, and was released on May 14.

Nine days later, the Orioles picked him up and he went 1-0 with a 2.51 ERA in 17 games with Norfolk before the O's released him on July 10. With the Indians' Triple-A affiliate in Columbus, the lefty did not record a decision in eight appearances.

In 675 career games since 1999, Romero has gone 34-28 with a 4.15 ERA. He won a World Series with the Phillies in 2008.

To make room for Romero, the Orioles designated pitcher Miguel Socolovich for assignment. Socolovich had a 6.97 ERA in six appearances for Baltimore this year.

Baltimore also recalled pitcher Steve Johnson from Norfolk and placed pitcher Troy Patton on the 15-day disabled list.

This will be the third stint with the Orioles this season for Johnson, who won his first major league start on August 8.

Patton, who is dealing with a right ankle sprain, is 1-0 with a 2.58 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 50 appearances for the Orioles this season.